This is a definition of Phishing I've got from wikipedia.org.
"In the field of computer security, phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular sexual web sites (YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Windows Live Messenger), auction sites (eBay), online banks (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase), online payment processors (PayPal), or IT Administrators (Yahoo, ISPs, corporate) are commonly used to lure the unsuspecting. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging, and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one. Even when using server authentication, it may require skill to detect that the website is fake. Phishing is an example of social engineering techniques used to fool users, and exploits the poor usability of current web security technologies. Attempts to deal with the growing number of reported phishing incidents include legislation, user training, public awareness, and technical security measures. A phishing technique was described in detail in 1987, and the first recorded use of the term "phishing" was made in 1996. The term is a variant of fishing, probably influenced byphreaking, and alludes to baits used to "catch" financial information and passwords." (2009, Wikipedia.org)
How to do you minimize exposure to Phishing?
In my humble opinion, you don't actually expose yourself they will find you through public forums, email, newsletters, social networking sites, and other open access websites.
Here's a few tips for you, a practical way (common sense):
KING.NET
"In the field of computer security, phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular sexual web sites (YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Windows Live Messenger), auction sites (eBay), online banks (Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase), online payment processors (PayPal), or IT Administrators (Yahoo, ISPs, corporate) are commonly used to lure the unsuspecting. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging, and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one. Even when using server authentication, it may require skill to detect that the website is fake. Phishing is an example of social engineering techniques used to fool users, and exploits the poor usability of current web security technologies. Attempts to deal with the growing number of reported phishing incidents include legislation, user training, public awareness, and technical security measures. A phishing technique was described in detail in 1987, and the first recorded use of the term "phishing" was made in 1996. The term is a variant of fishing, probably influenced byphreaking, and alludes to baits used to "catch" financial information and passwords." (2009, Wikipedia.org)
How to do you minimize exposure to Phishing?
In my humble opinion, you don't actually expose yourself they will find you through public forums, email, newsletters, social networking sites, and other open access websites.
Here's a few tips for you, a practical way (common sense):
- Don't post your email to the public forums, community and other related message boards.
- When you receive a "phishing" emails, don't click on the link attached to the email. Open a new Internet browser and type the official web address of your bank. For example, if an email is asking you to update your bank profile (account information). Visit your bank official website e.g. http://www.bankofamerica.com/ for BOA, http://www.citicards.com/ for CitiBank, etc.
- Similar to no.1, don't post other sensitive information to the public forums e.g. Your phone number, mobile number, home address, etc.
That's what I have right now. Please post your comments for additional information that you would like to share to our readers.
Thank you,KING.NET
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